Black Radical Organizations 1960-1975

Posted by on April 9, 2007

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PCIAS Announces Year-long Series of Black Public Issues Forums

Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (Max Sanford) talks about his book: We Will Return in the Whirlwind: Black Radical Organizations 1960-1975.

CONTACT:
Butch Cottman
Philadelphia Institute for Africana Studies, Inc.
215-849-4873
iolabey@covad.net

The Philadelphia Institute for Africana Studies, Inc. (PCIAS), announced the first in a year-long series of Black Public Interest Forums to encourage and facilitate dialogue and debate on the history, progress and challenges facing the African American community in the Delaware Valley. The first forum in the
series will take place Thursday, May 3, 2007, from 6 to 9 PM at the African American United Fund Conference Center, 2231 N. Broad Street.

Everyone with an interest in the African American struggle for social and political justice is welcome to attend. Admission is $1.00 for the general public. Students, with I.D., and seniors will be admitted free of charge.

Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (Max Stanford) will be the featured speaker on May 3rd. Dr. Ahmad is the co-founder of RAM (Revolutionary Action Movement), founder of the African People?s Party, confidante of Malcolm X, associate of Robert Williams, and activist in organizing noteworthy conferences and organizations to further African American unity and self-determination. Ahmad will discuss highlights from his recently published book, We Will Return in the Whirlwind: Black Radical Organizations 1960-1975, answer questions, sign books, and participate in small group discussions.

?We need to create a process that will stimulate, develop and nurture indigenous young leadership within our communities,” states Ahmad.

Dr. John Elliott Churchville, on behalf of the Board of Directors of PCIAS, explains, ?This is the first of a series of Public Forums that will highlight the history of community based empowerment movements in Philadelphia, with a view to applying learned lessons from the past to contemporary issues facing our communities.”

The Black Public Interest Forum is sponsored by the Philadelphia Institute for Africana Studies, Inc. and supported by The Coalition, a network of civic, social justice, educational and community organizations and activists. which are a part of the Public Issues Forum.

The Philadelphia Institute of Africana Studies, Inc., is an independent nonprofit organization working to develop principled leadership in the African American community of the Delaware Valley. It was founded in 2006 as the brainchild of seasoned veterans of the struggle for African American human rights. Among the many initiatives, that PCIAS envisions creating are an Annual Black Public Issues Series, Umoja Circles (neighborhood discussion groups), a certification program for community activists, a journal and a website.